yea

1 of 2

adverb

1
: yes
used in oral voting
2
: more than this : not only so but
used to introduce a more explicit or emphatic phrase
yet the impression, yea the evidence, is inescapableJ. G. Harrison
3
informal : to this extent or degree
The hole was yea [=this] big
yea high
yea tall

yea

2 of 2

noun

1
2
a
: an affirmative vote
b
: a person casting a yea vote

Examples of yea in a Sentence

Adverb we will go to the new land, and, yea, we will pursue our dreams! I vote yea on the proposed increase in the school budget. Noun the measure passed with 50 yeas and 17 nays
Recent Examples on the Web
Adverb
Solend governance token-holders who participated voted yea with 97.5% of the vote. Danny Nelson, Fortune, 19 June 2022
Noun
This yea is shaping up to be even bigger and better. Holly Alvarado, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Jan. 2024 International traffic rose by 31.2% compared to the previous yea, and all markets reported double-digit percentage growth. Marisa Garcia, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023 Washington — The Senate overwhelmingly confirmed Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. as Joint Chiefs chairman Wednesday night, with a vote of 83 yeas to 11 nays, breaking through Sen. Tommy Tuberville's months-long blockade on military promotions and confirmations. Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2023 Many celebrities have attended services in the yeas since, including Justin Bieber, Chris Pratt, Kylie and Kendall Jenner, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Kourtney Kardashian and Vanessa Hudgens. Jessica Schladebeck New York Daily News (tns), al, 17 Aug. 2023 House Bill 1051, which would expand mental health benefits across the state, passed with 97 yeas and no nay votes. Kerry Breen, CBS News, 6 Apr. 2023 Are layered cabinets a yea or nay? Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 7 Apr. 2021 This yea's list is led by Harry Styles and rising duo Wet Leg, with four nominations each. Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 12 Jan. 2023 There are six constitutional offices on the ballot this yea which will determine Kentucky's next governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state auditor, commissioner of agriculture and state treasurer. Keisha Rowe, The Courier-Journal, 10 Jan. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'yea.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adverb

Middle English ye, ya, from Old English gēa; akin to Old High German yes

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of yea was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near yea

Cite this Entry

“Yea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yea. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

yea

1 of 2 adverb
1
: yes entry 1 sense 1
used in oral voting
2
used to give special force to a phrase that follows
most people, yea everyone, would agree with that

yea

2 of 2 noun
1
: a vote in favor of something
2
: a person casting a yea vote

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